Archive By Author - Tenell Felder

Elgin will have its annual PoDunk Festival – kicked off by a rather unique parade – this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Potter Community Park. Movies on Main will begin 6 p.m. that evening showing the movie Big Hero 6. Admission is free and people are asked to bring canned food items to donate for local food pantries.

The Price House Commission recently presented certificates of appreciation to various community organizations, businesses and individuals to thank them for their involvement in the commission's annual Black History Month display. The Price House Commission is dedicated to preserving Camden's African-American history and educating the community. Price House Commission Chairman Clifton H. Anderson shared with attendees that the Association for the Study of African American Life and History Executive Director Sylvia Y. Cyrus sent a letter of recognition to the commission for their work in Kershaw County.

The Upton Trio blended music and imagery to create a special performance at the Fine Arts Center of Kershaw County recently about the Amazon rainforest for Kershaw County School District students. Pianist Billy Shepherd, violinist Mary Lee Taylor Kinosian and cellist Dusan Vukajlovic performed "Amazon Harmony: The Breath of Life," composed by Kinosian especially for the students.

Kershaw County residents might have seen a familiar landmark on recent commercials and billboards for Discover SC, a marketing campaign from South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism. During the commercial, snippets of whitewater rafting, hiking and battle reenactments are shown. The battle reenactments are from Historic Camden's Revolutionary War Site.

Johnny Deal -- former banker, "Mr. Camden" and "Mr. Facebook" -- received the United Way of Kershaw County's (UWKC) highest honor Tuesday night: the Jake Watson Award. The award honors an individual who has continued Watson's legacy of volunteer service. The annual recognition dinner took place at TenEleven Galleria.

Elgin Cares, a community clean up day for the town of Elgin, will be April 18. Blaney Elementary School teacher Jewelle Heriot asked Elgin Town Council to adopt Elgin Cares during its March 31 meeting.

An observer in Wateree Elementary School's hallway might notice WES students eagerly waving to their principal, Elizabeth Stehle, as she walks down the hall. Her pride in her students and faculty would also be evident as she takes time to point out student's classwork on display and the creative hallway decorations done by teachers.

S.C. Department of Disabilities and Special Needs (DDSN) Director Dr. Beverly Buscemi recently visited the Kershaw County Board of Disabilities and Special Needs (KCBDSN) to speak with families about how services and care for their loved ones will be affected in the next year due to budget expansion and legislation.

Lugoff-Elgin High School (L-EHS) welcomed Laura Resau, author of "The Queen of Water" and novel's subject, María Virginia Farinango on Friday. L-EHS invited Resau and Farinango as part of the school's new reading initiative where teachers are asked to incorporate literature into their teaching subjects.

Melissa Emmons is now, officially, the mayor of Elgin. Emmons, who finished her second term as a town council member, took the oath of office during Elgin Town Council's meeting Tuesday night before a full house. Councilwoman Candy Silvers retook her oath of office Tuesday, while the former mayor, Brad Hanley, took the oath as a regular council member.

Melissa Emmons is Elgin's new mayor, elected Tuesday as part of elections for Elgin Town Council. Emmons, who most recently served as council's mayor pro tem, received 107 votes while her opponent, Silas Silvers, received 40 votes. Former Elgin Mayor Brad Hanley received 105 votes, earning him a "regular" seat on council, and current council woman Candice "Candy" Silvers received 80 to be reelected. Silas Silvers, who also ran for a council seat, received 45 votes in that race.